Leyte heritage advocates push to save Carigara landmarks

MANILA, Philippines — Heritage advocates in Leyte have renewed calls to preserve Carigara’s historic buildings, ancestral houses, monuments, and other cultural landmarks, warning that neglect and rapid modernization threaten to erase the town’s centuries-old cultural legacy. The Carigara Heritage Society (CHS) urged the restoration and protection of the municipality’s heritage structures, saying they embody the town’s collective memory and should be safeguarded for future generations. Council Member Myla Aguilar, who also serves as CHS president, said preserving these landmarks would help younger generations appreciate their cultural roots while strengthening the town’s identity. “Preserving heritage structures strengthens local identity and promotes pride among residents while creating opportunities to boost cultural tourism and local economic development,” Aguilar said. Aguilar authored Municipal Ordinance 2025-016, which identifies local cultural properties, establishes a heritage zone in Carigara, and creates the Carigara Council on Culture and the Arts. The council is envisioned as the municipality’s counterpart to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, tasked with protecting and promoting local cultural heritage and the arts. Since its establishment in August 2025, the CHS has intensified efforts to encourage residents, particularly young people, to rediscover Carigara’s history. Among its initiatives is the “Heritage Spokes” tour, which features the town’s historic buildings and ancestral homes while highlighting Carigara’s role in Leyte’s history and its well-preserved architectural heritage. “Every old building tells a story. When we lose these structures, we lose a part of who we are,” Aguilar said. Carigara is considered the first town established in Eastern Visayas, possibly predating 1571. It once served as the province’s first capital and housed the cabecera of the Jesuit mission, making it the center of Christian evangelization in Leyte. Its historic district remains home to structures that reflect centuries of religious, commercial, governmental, and family life. The CHS said preserving historic structures is not only about protecting old buildings but also about safeguarding the stories, traditions, and collective memory that define Carigara as one of Leyte’s oldest towns. Heritage advocates also said conserving the town’s historic core could spur local economic development. They noted that heritage conservation efforts in other parts of the Philippines have attracted tourists, researchers, pilgrims, and entrepreneurs, creating jobs while strengthening community pride. According to the group, every restored ancestral home, maintained monument, preserved historical marker, and shared story helps ensure that Carigara’s history remains a living legacy rather than a fading memory. For the CHS, protecting the town’s cultural landmarks is ultimately about preserving the spirit of Carigara so that future generations can experience its history through the places and traditions that have shaped the municipality for centuries. /das